Will ISRAEL, EGYPT and ASSYRIA be UNITED in the FUTURE?
July 22 Bible Reading: Isaiah Chapters 19-21
Will ISRAEL, EGYPT and ASSYRIA be UNITED in the FUTURE?
"In that day
Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria--a blessing in the midst of
the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, "Blessed is Egypt My
people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance."
(Isaiah 19:24-25)
Egypt, Israel’s oppressor at the time of the Exodus,
centuries later became her ally against Assyria. Isaiah prophesied that God
would come in judgment against Egypt, bringing division and defeat. Egypt, with
the life-giving Nile River, was a haven for others in times of drought. But “the waters of the river will dry up”
(19:5) —a picture of great calamity. However, Isaiah prophesies future blessing
for Egypt. He described a time (called “that
day” in 19:16, 18, 19, 21, 23–24) when Egypt will acknowledge the Lord and
will join with Israel in worshiping Him.
We can observe the conversion of Egypt described in sequence:
- They shall speak the language of Canaan (v. 18a)
- They shall swear allegiance to the Lord of hosts as their King (v. 18b)
- They shall set up the public worship of God (altar & pillar) in their land (v. 19)
- When they are in distress, they shall seek the God of Israel (v. 20)
- The knowledge of God shall prevail among them (v. 21)
- They shall come into the communion of saints (v. 23)
When Egypt and Assyria become partners in serving God Israel
shall make a third with them (v. 24); they shall become a three-fold cord, not
easily broken. Israel will be one of
three with Egypt and Assyria, that is, they will form a triple alliance,
enjoying the blessings of Christ’s kingdom. The Savior and a Mighty One
(v.20) who brings universal blessing refers to Jesus Christ Himself ruling over
Egypt during the millennial kingdom. The highway running from Egypt to Assyria
through Israel pictures a time of international peace when Egypt and Assyria
will become God’s people.
Thus, prophet Isaiah sees a time when Israel will be a
partner and ally of her former foes, and together they will become a blessing
to all the inhabitants of the earth. Isaiah promises that one day the God of
Israel will be the God not only of the Arab and Jewish nations, but also of the
whole world. This was what God had
promised many years ago, when He had called Abraham, the father of the nations,
to serve Him:
Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Gen 12:1-3)
